Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Insufficient Funs: Insufficient Funs
Insufficient Funs: Insufficient Funs
John Coltrane
saxophone1926 - 1967
Rashied Ali
drums1935 - 2009
Charles Lloyd
saxophoneb.1938
Billy Higgins
drums1936 - 2001
Dave Rempis
saxophoneb.1975
Frank Rosaly
drumsb.1974
Tatsuya Nakatani
drumsb.1970
Michel Doneda
saxophone, sopranob.1954
Famoudou Don Moye
drumsb.1946
Joe McPhee
woodwindsb.1939
Chris Corsano
drumsNeil Welch
saxophone, tenorb.1985
Christopher Icasiano
drumsb.1986
"
data-original-title="" title="">Don Dietrich and 
Bengt Hallberg
piano1932 - 2013
Joining the club is Insufficient Funs, aka
Sam Comerford
saxophone, tenor
Matthew Jacobson
drumsUnusually, perhaps, Comerford's weapon of choice is the bass saxophone, an unwieldy instrument surely on the endangered species list. The range of the instrument is perhaps surprising, with Comerford moving from bowels-of-the-earth, basso profundo growls to lyricism more typical of a tenor saxophone. A little of both of these extremes color "Evilolive," whose memorably stonking riff bookends more subtle duo dialogue, complete with quirky percussive punctuations. Jacobson's rolling figures introduce "Sam's Haircut," where a flurry of brief exchanges develops into an expansive tête-à-tête where Comerford's melodic course is spurred by Jacobson's lightly dancing yet intricate grooves.
At times, so tightly bound are the musician's respective motivic patterns that it's difficult to discern who leads who—such is the case on "Eirik's Suite," which builds from Comerford's brooding, zombie reveille, via pattering brushes, towards free-improvisational terrain; Jacobson on sticks stirs up a storm, his animation contrasting with Comerford's sparer vocabulary, until the duo unites in an accelerated finale.
Honking riffs alternate with melodic motifs on the title track, the quieter passages in a tune of undulating intensity inviting greater rhythmic experimentation from Jacobson. The epitome of the contemporary jazz drummer, Jacobson's stylistic roots undoubtedly run deep, yet his openness to rhythmic possibilities infuses his playing with a compellingly urbane, playful edge. Upping the ante once more, the duo burns in a visceral passage where passion and control go hand in hand.
A ruminative, almost mournful quality characterises "Undone," a slowly serpentine, dark power ballad of strangely hypnotic allure. Just when it seems as if it might take off for unscripted territory the duo pulls in the reins, leaving the nagging sensation of tensions unresolved.
Insufficient Funs' groove-based debut, whilst satisfying, may fall short of reimagining the saxophone-drum duo as a concept, but there is enough meat on the bones musically speaking to suggest that they can take this project on to even greater heights. Sufficient funds permitting. ">
Track Listing
Evilolive; Sam’s Haircut; Eirik's Suite; Insufficient Funs; Undone.
Personnel
Matthew Jacobson
drumsSam Comerford: bass saxophone; Matthew Jacobson: drums.
Album information
Title: Insufficient Funs | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Self Produced
Tags
sam comerford
Insufficient Funs
CD/LP/Track Review
matthew jacobson
Ian Patterson
Self Produced
Ireland
Dublin
John Coltrane
Rashied Ali
charles lloyd
Billy Higgins
Dave Rempis
Frank Rosaly
tatsuya nakatani
Michel Doneda
Famoudou Don Moye
Joe McPhee
Chris Corsano
Neil Welch
Chris Icasiano
Don Dietrich
Ben Hall
Comments
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